Call For Proposal

Enzymes has been identified as one of the thematic sectors under the BioE3 Policy for ‘fostering high-performance biomanufacturing’. Enzymes hold immense potential to unlock new opportunities for innovative technologies due to their specificity, efficiency and wide range of applications across various sectors, including industrial processes and biocatalysis. Although India possesses adequate infrastructure for lab scale enzyme research, it requires a prioritized and focused attention for scaling up. Further, with the push for net-zero targets, industrial enzymes global demand will continue to grow in coming decades because of the inherent benefits that enzymes bring across various sectors.

Hence, DBT and BIRAC aim to foster an innovative ecosystem to establish enzyme biomanufacturing as an economically viable and environmentally sustainable solution, by addressing the key challenges of high production costs, efficiency & scalability.

In view of this, DBT and BIRAC, invite proposals on  ‘Biomanufacturing of Enzymes’  with the objective  of  building capabilities and infrastructure in advance enzyme technology, to develop a pipeline of indigenous and affordable enzymes for the following set of Enzymes:  a) Enzymes for the biotransformation of low-cost feedstock into high value functional biomolecules like D-allulose 3-epimerase, Trehalose synthase, Amylosucrase, Glutamate decarboxylase, Cellobiose 2-epimerase, β-galactosidase etc.

b) Biomass hydrolyzing enzymes focusing on the efficient conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars like endoglucanases, exoglucanases, beta-glucosidases, monooxygenases, esterases and xylanases, etc.

c) Enzymes for biotransformation for the production of Specialty Chemicals / APIs for pharma industry like ammonia lyase, peroxygenases, nitrilases, lipases, ketoreductases omega-transaminases etc.

The proposals are invited under two categories where first category i.e. “Discovery and application oriented Integrated Network research” focuses proof-of-concept development and applied research to validate the feasibility of innovative ideas and technologies so as to reach Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3-5 for the class of enzymes mentioned above.  The proposals should focus on:

• Discovery, design and characterization of novel enzymes with high catalytic efficiency, enhanced stability, specificity, activity, or newer applications; 
• Development of enzyme platform for producing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
• Development of advanced enzyme engineering techniques for production of valuable chemicals, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals for industrial use in biomanufacturing
• Demonstrating the bioproduction of enzymes in a bioreactor (at less than 100 Litre)
• Outlining the minimal bench mark (titre/productivity/scale) for the product.

The second category i.e. “Bridging the gaps for scale-up” focuses on The proposals should focus on:

• Optimization, upscaling and down-streaming (recovery & purification) of existing technologies
• Extensive strain engineering in the established strains for further yield/titer improvement
• Outlining the minimal bench mark (titre/productivity/scale) for the product.

BIRAC TRL definitions - https://www.birac.nic.in/desc_new.php?id=443

• Companies established under the Companies Act 2013 and Startups.
• The Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) incorporated under the Limited Liability Partnership Act,2008.
• Academic from various Institutions/ Universities/ Societies/ Trusts/ NGOs/ Foundations/ Voluntary Organizations, recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO).

Proposals for the Scheme is required to be submitted online only. To submit a proposal online, please log on to the BIRAC website (www.birac.nic.in).

No Hard Copy to be submitted. Proposals submitted online only would be considered.

Last date for Submission of Proposals: 10th May 2025 (midnight)

Details of the scheme including eligibility requirements, categories for proposal submission; guidelines for support as grant and loan; agreement templates etc. are available at www.birac.nic.in

Announcement Date: 01-04-2025
Last Submission Date: 10-05-2025